A community college sponsored by Niagara County
April 1, 2022
Standing in front of the Dr. Bloneva Bond mosaic (L-R) is dear friend of Dr. Bond, Don King; Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie; SUNY Niagara President William J. Murabito; Niagara Falls BOE Member Clara Dunn; Niagara Falls BOE Member Vincent “Jimmy” Cancemi; SUNY Niagara Board of Trustee Kevin Clark; Niagara Street Elementary Principal Rocco Merino; Niagara Street Elementary Vice Principal Dorothy Brundidge; and SUNY Niagara Chief Diversity and Equity Officer John D Strong.
SUNY Niagara and Niagara Falls City Schools (NFCS) were part of the state-wide Women’s Empowerment Draft throughout the month of March. The two schools joined 24 other colleges and 30 grade schools to collectively celebrate Women’s History Month. The program, created by Alfred University’s Art Force 5, uses a pro-sports theme to build enthusiasm for historic icons.
SUNY Niagara and Niagara Street Elementary School “drafted” Dr. Bloneva Bond, an educator, business owner, social worker and community activist in Niagara County. Dr. Bond was the first Black woman elected to the Niagara Falls School Board and was a past president of the Niagara Falls Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The month-long celebration of women ended with a ceremony to unveil a mosaic of Dr. Bond’s portrait. The mosaic was designed by Art Force 5 and drawn, painted, and assembled by SUNY Niagara students, faculty, and staff. Both SUNY Niagara and NFCS board members, faculty, and administration gathered to view its permanent exhibit in SUNY Niagara’s Dining Commons on the Sanborn campus.
Superintendent of Niagara Falls City Schools Mark Laurrie spoke at the ceremony, stating, “It’s important we have these celebrations. Bloneva was a trailblazer, a pathfinder, a leader, and a strong woman who took on a lot of risks and challenges. She stood out and took on a climb that was not easy to take. We want to tell our kids that they, too, can be trailblazers and pathfinders like her.”
The celebration of Dr. Bloneva Bond will continue into the summer when Niagara Street School will be renamed to the Bloneva Bond Primary School. A rededication event will take place on August 30 at the school, located at 2513 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls.
SUNY Niagara and Niagara Falls City Schools (NFCS) were part of the state-wide Women’s Empowerment Draft throughout the month of March. The two schools joined 24 other colleges and 30 grade schools to collectively celebrate Women’s History Month. The program, created by Alfred University’s Art Force 5, uses a pro-sports theme to build enthusiasm for historic icons.
SUNY Niagara and Niagara Street Elementary School “drafted” Dr. Bloneva Bond, an educator, business owner, social worker and community activist in Niagara County. Dr. Bond was the first Black woman elected to the Niagara Falls School Board and was a past president of the Niagara Falls Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The month-long celebration of women ended with a ceremony to unveil a mosaic of Dr. Bond’s portrait. The mosaic was designed by Art Force 5 and drawn, painted, and assembled by SUNY Niagara students, faculty, and staff. Both SUNY Niagara and NFCS board members, faculty, and administration gathered to view its permanent exhibit in SUNY Niagara’s Dining Commons on the Sanborn campus.
Superintendent of Niagara Falls City Schools Mark Laurrie spoke at the ceremony, stating, “It’s important we have these celebrations. Bloneva was a trailblazer, a pathfinder, a leader, and a strong woman who took on a lot of risks and challenges. She stood out and took on a climb that was not easy to take. We want to tell our kids that they, too, can be trailblazers and pathfinders like her.”
The celebration of Dr. Bloneva Bond will continue into the summer when Niagara Street School will be renamed to the Bloneva Bond Primary School. A rededication event will take place on August 30 at the school, located at 2513 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls.
Standing in front of the Dr. Bloneva Bond mosaic (L-R) is dear friend of Dr. Bond, Don King; Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie; SUNY Niagara President William J. Murabito; Niagara Falls BOE Member Clara Dunn; Niagara Falls BOE Member Vincent “Jimmy” Cancemi; SUNY Niagara Board of Trustee Kevin Clark; Niagara Street Elementary Principal Rocco Merino; Niagara Street Elementary Vice Principal Dorothy Brundidge; and SUNY Niagara Chief Diversity and Equity Officer John D Strong.
Media Contact Information
Denyel Beiter
Public Relations Assistant
Phone: 716-614-5974
Email: dbeiter@niagaracc.suny.edu